College Football week 2: Top 25 Clash Headlines Weekend Slate
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Week 2 of the college football season promises a compelling mix of conference matchups and intriguing non-conference contests, headlined by a highly anticipated showdown between No. 2 Michigan and No.3 Oklahoma. The game, set for Saturday in Ann arbor, represents an early-season test for both College Football Playoff hopefuls.Beyond the marquee matchup, several other games carry meaningful weight, including the Border War rivalry between Kansas and missouri and a slate of smaller-school contests showcasing talent across all levels of collegiate football.
This weekend’s action follows a Week 1 marked by upsets and surprising performances, including UL Monroe’s stunning 2007 victory over Nick Saban’s Alabama team in his first season with the Crimson Tide. as programs navigate the early stages of the season, projections from SP+ and FPI offer insights into potential outcomes, though as history demonstrates, anything can happen on the gridiron.
Key Week 2 Matchups
No. 2 Michigan vs. No.3 Oklahoma (12:00 p.m. ET, FOX)
Current line: Michigan -6.5 | SP+ projection: Michigan by 8.2 | FPI projection: Michigan by 6.8
The Wolverines, coming off a dominant season, face a significant challenge against a potent Oklahoma offense. This game will be a crucial early indicator of Michigan’s ability to contend for a national championship.Kansas at Missouri (3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2)
Current line: Missouri -7.5 | SP+ projection: Missouri by 10.1 | FPI projection: Missouri by 7.3
The annual Border war rivalry resumes with both teams looking to establish early momentum. Kansas,under head coach Lance Leipold,seeks to continue its recent resurgence,while Missouri aims to build on its bowl game appearance last season.
Stanford at BYU (10:15 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Current line: BYU -18.5 | SP+ projection: BYU by 24.6 | FPI projection: BYU by 16.0
BYU dominated Portland State 606-51 in Week 1, while Stanford suffered a loss to hawai’i. The significant disparity in early performance suggests a favorable outlook for the Cougars.
Smaller-School Showcase
D-III: No. 17 Wheaton at No.2 Mount Union (1 p.m. ET, FloFootball)
SP+ projection: Mount Union by 8.1
Mount Union, a 12-time national champion, begins its season against Wheaton, a team aiming to return to playoff contention after missing out last year.
NAIA: No. 4 Benedictine at No.1 Grand View (1 p.m. ET, local streaming)
SP+ projection: Grand View by 9.9
Following a thrilling top-five victory over Morningside, Benedictine faces another challenging matchup against defending national champion Grand View.
FCS: No. 2 South Dakota state at No. 3 Montana State (8 p.m. ET, ESPN+)
SP+ projection: SDSU by 1.6
South Dakota State, after a decisive win over Sacramento State, travels to face Montana State, who experienced a tough loss to Oregon in Week 1. The Bobcats, national runners-up twice in the past four seasons, will look to rebound against a strong Jackrabbits team.
